ABBA: Bjorn Ulvaeus (vocals, guitar); Benny Andersson (vocals, keyboards); Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog (vocals). Producers: Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus. Compilation producer: Chris Griffin. Includes liner notes... more &raquo by John Tobler. Digitally remastered by Michael B. Tretow (Polar Studios). In seemingly random; which is to say, it contains nineteen of the most delectable pop productions of the '70s and early '80s. "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo," "Knowing Me, Knowing You" and the other landmarks of upbeat melancholy are complex concoctions--all layered harmonies and brilliant keyboard arrangements. These songs don't easily fit into any pop timeline, which may be why Abba received much of their acclaim long after breaking up. What may have seemed like Euro-pop fluff in its day, has been revealed by time to be truly classic studio pop. The Swedish band's songs had show-tune and '60s-pop roots, skirted around the edge of disco, and were an unspoken influence on new wave. Without them, Madonna's very existence would be highly unlikely. With its Latin beat and gospel harmonies, "Lay Your Love All Over Me," one of the five songs here that didn't chart in the U.S., sounds like the very source of "Like A Prayer." Like Madonna, Abba had a grandiose vision of pop's place in the world--"who could live without it, I ask in all honesty," is how they put it in "Thank You For The Music," their Broadway-like farewell gesture. Hearing these singles, its hard to imagine anyone ever did. Digitally remastered edition of the original collection released in 1982. 'Gold' features nine number one singles & is the definitive Abba album to own. Universal. 2006&laquo less

Synopsis

Album Description

ABBA: Bjorn Ulvaeus (vocals, guitar); Benny Andersson (vocals, keyboards); Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog (vocals). Producers: Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus. Compilation producer: Chris Griffin. Includes liner notes by John Tobler. Digitally remastered by Michael B. Tretow (Polar Studios). In seemingly random; which is to say, it contains nineteen of the most delectable pop productions of the '70s and early '80s. "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo," "Knowing Me, Knowing You" and the other landmarks of upbeat melancholy are complex concoctions--all layered harmonies and brilliant keyboard arrangements. These songs don't easily fit into any pop timeline, which may be why Abba received much of their acclaim long after breaking up. What may have seemed like Euro-pop fluff in its day, has been revealed by time to be truly classic studio pop. The Swedish band's songs had show-tune and '60s-pop roots, skirted around the edge of disco, and were an unspoken influence on new wave. Without them, Madonna's very existence would be highly unlikely. With its Latin beat and gospel harmonies, "Lay Your Love All Over Me," one of the five songs here that didn't chart in the U.S., sounds like the very source of "Like A Prayer." Like Madonna, Abba had a grandiose vision of pop's place in the world--"who could live without it, I ask in all honesty," is how they put it in "Thank You For The Music," their Broadway-like farewell gesture. Hearing these singles, its hard to imagine anyone ever did. Digitally remastered edition of the original collection released in 1982. 'Gold' features nine number one singles & is the definitive Abba album to own. Universal. 2006

What can I say, it's Abba!! All the songs are fantastic, great cd, one of which I won't part with. :-))

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Jeffrey W. (Ognib61) from WOOSTER, OH Reviewed on 12/4/2009...

Their music is great! They definitely had a unique sound and melody.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Christine K. from ROGUE RIVER, OR Reviewed on 9/15/2009...

This is great music, good beat. The kids just love to dance to it.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Rosemary A. from BRICK, NJ Reviewed on 10/12/2007...

Excellent classic. This never gets old!

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Amy T. (simplyamy) from DAKOTA DUNES, SD Reviewed on 8/16/2007...

Makes me want to pu ton some white bell bottoms and boogie!

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sonoko F. from MONTCLAIR, NJ Reviewed on 3/21/2007...

Irresistible! Abba was brilliant at turning out catchy dance tunes, evidenced by hit after hit on this cd. this is a must-have if you enjoyed 'Mamma Mia' or the charming movie 'Muriel's Wedding' - and 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.' Madonna sampled 'A Man After Midnight' for her hit 'Hung Up.'

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

CD Reviews

Re-masterd in 1999: ABBA Gold Greatest Hits history

Eugene Tenenbaum | Bronx, NY USA | 03/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only the original 1992 CD version has been sold in the United States. Its edited versions of "Voulez-Vous" and "The Name of the Game" were replaced by the full original-length versions on the 1999 and subsequent re-releases. Instead of its 3 other songs, local ABBA hits appeared on the 1992 Australasian issue. "Chiquitita" and "Fernando" were sung in Spanish on the 1992 Spanish version.The 1999 re-mastered CD Signature Issue had different track listings, the autographs, and new sleeve notes. The 10th Anniversary Edition re-release of 2002 included the ABBA logo written with the official font, a redesigned back cover, and the European track list. In 2003, 2xCD Special Edition with Bonus CD was released. In 2004, a CD/DVD Anniversary Edition (also available without DVD) was released in UK. It had a sleeve cover in gold rather than black. Its DVD included 18 of the 19 songs from the CD (except "The Name Of The Game"). The 2008 CD re-release was similar to the 2002 one.The 2003 DVD included the same 19 songs as the CD, a 25 min. historical documentary, and the 1992 video "Dancing Queen"."